November 10, 2008

Teen and Family Counseling Center celebrates 25th anniversary

By Jeanne C. Carbone
Editor

Clinical Director Marianne Vernacchia, Executive Director Georgia Clarke and Board Member Jane Kennedy enjoyed celebrating the TFCC’s 25th anniversary. Photo by Jeanne C. Carbone

Toasts were made and memories shared at the Teen and Family Counseling Center’s 25th anniversary celebration held on Oct. 8.

“There is a real need for counselors in our schools,” said Teen and Family Counseling Center [TFCC] Executive Director Georgia Clarke. “A 1983 survey by the kids at Los Gatos High said they wanted a counselor on campus and TFCC was started. I want us to be viewed as a community resource and that we are available to help. TFCC is a great alternative for those who need help but can’t afford it. We offer a sliding scale based the family’s income.”

Marriage Family Therapist [MFT] Cheryl Silverstein listened to that 1983 plea and the Teen Health Place started. Since then, MFTs and clinical social worker trainees joined TFCC receiving training from licensed professionals and in return providing counseling services to students in area schools and families in the clinic. The Teen Health Place became Teen Counseling of the West Valley and in 1998, the TFCC. In 2005, after 22 years in Los Gatos, TFCC moved to a larger facility in Campbell.

TFCC Adminstrative Assistant Marie Shrodes, Campbell Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Betty Deal and Express Employment Professionals Owner Linda Kane-Neufeld share a happy moment enjoying good food and wine at TFCC’s 25th anniversary. Photos by Jeanne C. Carbone

Along the way TFCC expanded their support of local schools from the original Los Gatos High School. In 2008/2009 TFCC provides counseling to 17 area elementary, middle and high schools in the Los Gatos-Saratoga Joint Union High school District, the Campbell Union High school District, Campbell Union School District and the Santa Clara Office of Education. In 2007/2008 TFCC conducted 6,718 counseling sessions in the schools and the clinic. The counselor-on-campus programs are offered at no cost to the students, families or faculty members.

“TFCC is a great place, very family oriented and friendly,” said intern Susan Mihandoost who is an in-school counselor at Capri School while completing her masters at Santa Clara University. “It is a rewarding job knowing we can make a difference and contribute to society. Kids have a place to go to talk. It is very valuable providing services for them to grow into healthy adults.”

And what started as counseling for teens grew as well. TFCC offers low-cost, sliding-scale fee counseling services to adults, couples, teens and children. They provide classes, groups and seminars on anger management, grief and loss, stress management, parenting and co-parenting, sexual abuse, substance abuse and teen relationships. They also offer personal growth programs for relieving stress, improving parenting skills, solving problems effectively, enriching relationships and learning coping strategies.

TFCC’s 25th Anniversary on Oct. 8 was enthusiastically enjoyed by all who attended.

“I was impressed with what TFCC does and that’s why I became a board member,” said City Councilmember Jane Kennedy. “My kids are gone now and what kids go through now is very different. I wanted to help.”

TFCC Board of Director’s Chair Carol Waitte agrees.

“I believe in TFCC’s mission,” said Waitte. “It’s a difficult world we live in and TFCC really provides a service and does an amazing job.”

TFCC is located at 307 Orchard City Dr., #206. For more information call (408) 370-9990 or visit www.teenfamilycounseling.org.